Game Design & Development Degree in Des Moines, IA — Salary & ROI 2026
Game Design & Development degree analysis for Des Moines, IA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$46K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$78K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.1 yrs
in Des Moines
Cost of Living
92
index (100 = avg)
Game Design & Development in Des Moines, IA Overview
Des Moines, Iowa (pop. 214,133) has 10 colleges offering Game Design & Development programs. The local cost of living index of 92 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $975/month. Game Design & Development has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Unity and Unreal Engine skills. The adjusted starting salary in Des Moines is approximately $46,000, growing to $78,200 by mid-career.
Category
Arts & Technology
Local Colleges
10
Public Tuition
$8,977/yr
Private Tuition
$38,388/yr
Room & Board
$8,658/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$9,739/yr
Unemployment
6.9%
Graduation Rate
56%
Game Design & Development Salary in Des Moines (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Des Moines's cost of living index of 92 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Game Design & Development salary: $50,000 starting, $85,000 mid-career, $120,000 senior level.Des Moines adjustment factor: 0.92x based on the local cost of living index.
Game Design & Development ROI Calculator for Des Moines
Estimate your return on investment for a Game Design & Development degree using local Des Moines tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $8,977 | Private avg: $38,388
Des Moines avg aid: $9,739/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$70,540
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$13,800
vs HS diploma in Des Moines
ROI Payback Period
5.1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Des Moines
$573,460
Lifetime earnings premium ($644,000) minus total education cost ($70,540)
Student Loan Payoff for Game Design & Development in Des Moines
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Des Moines for Game Design & Development
Drake University
private
$45,520/yr
$182,080 total
Grand View University
private
$31,256/yr
$125,024 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Des Moines Area Community College
$5,064/yr
Top Employers for Game Design & Development in Des Moines
Des Moines offers opportunities in Game studios, Tech companies, Media companies for Game Design & Development graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Des Moines Hiring Sectors for Arts & Technology
Game studios
Tech companies
Media companies
Startups
Entertainment
Common Game Design & Development Job Titles
Game Design & Development in Nearby Iowa Cities
Cedar Rapids, IA
$50K starting · COL 100
4 colleges
Davenport, IA
$40K starting · COL 79
6 colleges
Sioux City, IA
$42K starting · COL 84
2 colleges
Iowa City, IA
$48K starting · COL 95.2
3 colleges
West Des Moines, IA
$49K starting · COL 97.5
3 colleges
Ankeny, IA
$48K starting · COL 95.8
3 colleges
Waterloo, IA
$41K starting · COL 82.5
3 colleges
Ames, IA
$44K starting · COL 87
8 colleges
Game Design & Development Degree in Des Moines — FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.
Explore More
Compare Game Design & Development ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Des Moines.